A Victorian Tale Part 11

Chapter Eleven (Hellacre) Inspector Kent looked wryly at Lord Garrick. "I'm not sure Luthor is going to be pleased to see me in his home, Jay." Both men were entering the ornate vestibule and having their coats and hats taken from them by the hovering footmen. Lord Garrick looked at his friend and said smoothly, "Luthor never specified whom one ought to bring on his invite. It said Lord Garrick and guest. And I daresay, he won't even recognize you. I mean, you barely look yourself." Lord Garrick knew what was happening with Miss Prince; he had insisted on Kent attending the Luthor ball and having his very own taylor outfit him.Clark had protested at first but saw reason when his had friend pointed out the importance of being present at the ball and the need to blend in. "They are an unforgiving lot. It's like a lion's den.....they'll devour anyone they think beneath them......but look the part and they'll willing accept you. Here's a chance to continue your investigations and keep an eye on Miss Prince. I take it you want to do that......?" "But I have my own clothes......." Lord Garrick had looked kindly but painfully at him. "My dear boy, this is Luthor's set. They'll recognize anything that is not cut by Saville Row. Come now, you've know me since you were a lad. It's not charity, Clark...." Kent had relented with that. Now as he looked at his reflection in the gilded mirrors in the foyer, he had to admit no one could tell he belonged to the police service. He could be a merchant banker, or the heir to a railroad fortune. They'd accept him now even if he weren't blue blooded. He looked elegant and eligible. Lord Garrick had even made him remove the glasses in the carriage. "Come on, you only need it to read.....You can keep it in your pocket......." "But......." "It'll keep Luthor off your back." With a sigh, he obliged. Now he blinked at his image; his eyes seemed bluer than usual, feeding off the fire of the sapphire in the folds of his silken cravat. And Garrick's valet had slicked back his hair with pomade, leaving the hint of a curl kissing his brow. He grimaced, "I look like a damned dandy." "You look affluent. Luthor won't even bat an eye lid once you keep a low profile. He's probably forgotten you......" "I doubt he'll forget the one who had him hauled in for questioning three years back for fraudulent activities on the railway contracts or who arrested a handful of henchmen last year for an assault on a rival bidder.............," he said wryly. Lord Garrick shrugged. "Luthor has enemies everywhere. You'll be the least of his worries, I'll vouch. Besides, after what I heard happen to Miss Lane, it's even more imperative Diana is watched over." "I wonder if they are here yet......."he mused, looking over the heads of the guests arriving and heading for the ballroom. "Let's go see." They entered the large ballroom and Clark blinked. He had been to small parties and dinners and the country dances of his childhood but never anything as grand as this. The room was filled with men and women from the upper echelons of London society. Music, light and laughter assaulted his senses. He was jostled as they entered and got separated from Lord Garrick, who was instantly hailed by several racing cronies and borne off to the card room. Clark found himself up against a recess where three matrons sat with their daughters. They eyed him up and down. Over the violins he could hear one woman say, "Look at that one. He came in with Lord Garrick, you know......... I wonder who's his family? Luthor only invites the creme de la creme. Jenny, don't slouch. Smile at the nice young man." Clark bowed stiffly and made a hasty retreat, much to their dismay, knocking into people who turned to glare or look about in surprise. He halted further along the room and let out a sigh. A servant came pass and offered champagne. He took the glass with a nod and turned his eyes upon the dance floor. His heart gave an unexpected thud as he saw her. She was being held in the arms of the Earl of Gotham, twirling gracefully amongst the other dancers. She was ethereal in white and silver with matching diamond and pearls and the wings of her black hair was held by a tiara. She was looking over Lord Wayne's shoulders as if lost in her own thoughts and not cognisant of being held by her betrothed in a romantic waltz. A voice behind him uttered. "Inspector Kent?!" He turned and saw Miss Lane on the arm the stalwart General Lane, with the languid Oliver Queen alongside them. Lois was looking at Kent up and down, partly in disbelief and reluctant admiration. Queen eyed him in some amusement. "How do you do, Miss Lane? I see you are recovered. Queen. General." Kent bowed. Queen mused, "Has the Metropolitan Police patched up its differences with Lord Luthor, Kent, that it's getting an invite to his ball now?" Kent ignored the irony and replied coolly, "I came with Lord Garrick." "Ah, dear Jay, he does have a sense of humour. Where is he?" "I think he was borne away to the card room." "Luthor's bank plays stakes too high," began the General. Queen shrugged, "Jay is rich as Croesus. A thousand here and there is nothing for him." Lois smiled at Queen. "They say you are just as intrepid a player.......maybe even more so......" "I admit, I am partial to a game of cards. But there's too much beauty here tonight to waste time in the gaming rooms, "he said gallantly. The General asked, "You play, Kent?" "I never gamble." "Our Inspector has impeachable morals, no doubt," smiled Queen. Kent said stiffly, "Quite. Excuse me, I need to speak to Lord Wayne." Wayne and his betrothed had finished their set and were walking towards the end of the room where there were free chairs. Diana sat down and Wayne was about to hail a waiter to procure them drinks when Kent walked towards them. Diana was fanning herself. She suppressed a yawn. These gatherings only served to remind her how homesick she felt and her lack of enthusiasm for high society. Since her arrival in England she had questioned her decision to defy her mother and come to a strange land for the love......at least she thought it was love.....of the Earl. His world was full of people she could not like. They were class and money conscious. The women were more fond of parties and clothes than improving their minds and the world. She had been accepted only because Wayne was so powerful. No one could nor would deny him anything. Her work with the orphans was a seen as a joke or passing fancy. Most of the ton seemed to think that she would no doubt forget all that nonsense of street urchins and reform when she wed the Earl and did her duty by giving him an heir. She sighed a bit wistfully. There was no one in the dreadful ball that she could remotely feel happy to sit and speak to. Her eyes fell on a tall, broad shouldered figure coming towards her. He was probably coming to claim her for a dance. She closed her fan determinedly. She was not in any mood to indulge anyone how ever elegant and well-to-do. The man greeted them with a smile that was unmistakable. “My Lord. Miss Prince." Wayne blinked. "Kent?" Diana felt her stomach do a funny flutter and her cheeks grew hot. "Inspector. How nice to see you." "What are you doing here?" queried the Earl. "Jay brought me. He thought I should be here, after what happened with Miss Lane." "He's very wise. I take it he's responsible for your, er, turnout?" Kent replied, "Lord Garrick is aware of the danger posed to Miss Prince." "Well, it is a clever move. I should have thought of it myself. Will you take Diana into supper? I need to speak to some associates of mine......"He turned to Diana. "My dear, I have to speak to Oliver." "Go ahead." She looked up at Kent who was offering his arm. "Shall we?" She rose and took it but said," Could we take a turn outside? I need some fresh air. It's suffocating in here." They headed for the large terrace that overlooked a courtyard. The rain had stopped. On their way they chatted easily, they reached the door way only to hear a voice behind them, "Well, well, what have we here? The lovely Miss Prince and the scourge of criminals of London, the inestimable Inspector Kent." They turned to see Lord Luthor and a couple of his associates. He looked Kent up and down. "The Metropolitan Police must have raised your salary, Kent. You could almost be a gentleman." "I was hoping to pass for a nobleman, "he returned calmy. Luthor smiled. "Ah Kent, as droll as ever. Miss Prince. Always a pleasure to see you. Where is your betrothed? Surely he hasn't abandoned you?" Diana looked at him unimpressed. She asked instead, "Is it my understanding, my Lord, that you have refused to let the Foundling Society renew the lease of the old grange house in Kilburn?" "And what would that matter to the wife to-be of one of the richest men in England?" "It matters because there are right now dozens of orphaned children without a decent home." "Ah yes, I have heard of your crusade to house waifs and pickpockets. But surely Lord Wayne is wealthy enough to buy you an entire street in Kilburn. Why upbraid me, madam?" "Human kindness and decency......." "Of which I never boasted to have. You are the philanthropist, Miss Prince, not I," he interrupted. He looked at Kent. "I am not devoid of manners and I can only assume you came with Garrick. But mind how you step on my territory Inspector. This is not the gutters of East London or the potato fields of Norwich." He walked away, while his companions sniggered as they followed him. Diana gritted. "The arrogant obnoxious pig! How dare he speak to you like that?!" “He's the worst of his kind. I try not to let him bait me......"Kent replied. They walked onto the terrace and sank upon a stone bench. She let out a relieved sigh and looked at him ruefully. "It's only been an hour but it feels like a lifetime." "I take it you aren't enjoying it then?" "I did not want to come but Bruce said this is one of the events of the social calendar.....no one turns down an invite. That is all London has been......a whirlwind of parties and soirees and balls.......I miss home, Clark. I miss my mother. I miss sitting under the cypress trees and hearing the waves breaking upon the shore and the call of the gulls." He allowed her to talk of her home; asking her about her life on Themyscira. She also found out that he had been orphaned at four and had been brought up by country folk. He had gotten his education via the lord upon whose land his adopted parents had farmed. It turned out that lord had been Lord Garrick. Both Kent's parents were now dead. As the pair talked they were unaware that they were being observed by two pairs of feminine eyes from a window above. The staid countenance of Wembley appeared behind them. He announced, "Luthor says it is time." Mercy smiled. "Yes, we can see that. The Inspector is so helpful. He is just where we want him. I hope Lord Garrick can provide him with a good lawyer, because when we're done with the foreign minx, he'll swing like the Blue Fields killer he got strung-up several weeks ago."